Dyersburg (Tenn.) defensive lineman Kalen Edwards, standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 330 pounds, announced his commitment to Kentucky via Instagram. He made this decision after considering offers from Auburn, Louisville, and Memphis, following his official visit to Lexington during the weekend of June 21. Although Kentucky emerged as his top choice after the visit, Edwards officially confirmed his commitment on Sunday evening.
The entire coaching staff at Kentucky, including co-defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach Brad White, played pivotal roles in recruiting Edwards. White particularly emphasized creating a sense of home for the Tennessee native during the recruitment process.
Kalen Edwards spoke highly of his interactions with the coaching staff at Kentucky, particularly praising defensive coaches Brad White and Anwar Stewart. Reflecting on Coach White, Edwards appreciated his similarity to his defensive coordinator back home and admired his hands-on approach during meetings and drills. He described White’s enthusiasm for physical play, which resonated deeply with Edwards due to its resemblance to his coaching experiences in Tennessee.
Regarding Coach Stewart, Edwards emphasized the genuine and supportive atmosphere he felt from the moment he arrived at Kentucky. He believes Stewart has the ability to foster his development and elevate his game to the next level, citing their immediate connection and Stewart’s straightforward approach.
In terms of recruiting rankings, Edwards is highly regarded with a rating of .8975 by the 247Sports Composite. This places him as the nation’s No. 38 defensive lineman and the No. 339 overall prospect. Last season, he showcased his talent with impressive statistics including 47 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles.
With Kalen Edwards’ commitment, Kentucky has seen a rise in their team recruiting rankings, moving up seven spots to reach No. 18 overall. Edwards is a significant addition as the first commitment from Tennessee, expanding Kentucky’s recruiting footprint to nine different states for the 2025 class.
This commitment marks the beginning of what could be a pivotal week for Kentucky’s recruiting efforts within the SEC. They are anticipating announcements from several highly regarded prospects: Javeon Campbell from Frankfort (Ky.) Western Hills, Dawayne Galloway from Columbus (Ohio) Marion-Franklin, Jermiel Atkins from Dayton (Ohio) Trotwood-Madison, and Samari Reed from Pompano Beach (Fla.) Monarch.
These potential commitments reflect Kentucky’s ongoing efforts to strengthen their roster across multiple states and solidify their standing in SEC recruiting circles.
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